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By Amanda Boyarshinov 5 Comments

Gardening with Kids When to use Seeds vs Transplants

Gardening with kids is a ton of fun.  I can easily get overwhelmed in the seed and vegetable plant section at our local home improvement store. Ohhhh the choices of gardening!  I am so thankful that we do have choices, but it is hard to decide WHAT I want to plant and then I need to choose how to get THAT plant in the garden.  So when do you use seeds vs transplants?

Seeds vs Transplants: What should you choose when gardening with kids?

When do I use Seeds vs Transplants

It seems that I end up with a combination split almost equally between using my own seeds that I have saved, seeds I have bought, and transplants.

The benefits of using seeds when gardening with kids is tremendous.  The kids are able to put this tiny seed into the ground and see it emerge into an amazing plant that will feed them!  A life cycle is born and kids are sucked into this process and completely fascinated by it. The kindergartners planted bush bean seeds several weeks ago and have reported their growth in inches to me daily.

Why would you use Seeds vs Transplants?

When to use Seeds

They love the little flags that emerge from the ground.  It is SO amazing to see 18 –  5 year old’s extremely excited about spending time out in the garden and observing their natural environment.  My words just cannot describe their joy! The virtue of patience is taught when you plant seeds. Costs are low and there are many varieties of plants to choose from when you consider seeds.
  • Amazing to watch the seeds sprout
  • low cost
  • many varieties to choose from
  • more organic and heirloom varieties available.
  • Good for plants with long root systems (carrots)
  • Best for plants that grow fast (radishes)

When to use Transplants

Transplants however come already started.  Kids appreciate the earlier harvest and seeing their garden look full. Some harder to grow vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli may be your best option.

  • When you are short on time
  • To see fast growth
  • To have something ready to harvest ASAP

As our school garden was gifted with some transplants, the children planted 3 different varieties of lettuce seed along side the transplants.  We discussed the similarities and differences between the seeds and the transplants. The students were able to come up with that they are both the same type of plant, but one has been growing for a longer time.  I buy seeds for the kids in bulk, so everyone will have opportunities to plant. Future lessons will include a comparison of different seeds and a comparison of different kids of lettuce. Affiliate links:

 

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Click for more kids in the garden ideas:

Getting Started in 3 Easy Steps by Birute Efe
Cultivating Enthusiasm for Gardening All Season Long by Matthew Hiemstra
Giving Kids Ownership in the Planning Phases of Gardening by MaryAnne
Best Herbs to Grow with Kids by Victoria
Best Flowers to Grow with Kids by Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Best Vegetables to Grow with Kids by Becky
Community Gardens by Amandine Hom
Homesteading by Vanessa Vargas Wilson
Preschool Gardens by Dayna

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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Filed Under: Gardening Tagged With: A Better Me, Amanda, Kids in the Garden, Outdoor Fun

About Amanda Boyarshinov

K - 12 masters reading teacher, author and mom to 3. Amanda is a National Board Certified teacher with oodles of experience in early childhood education.

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Comments

  1. Deb Chitwood says

    October 10, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Awesome information, Amanda! I planted a flower garden with the kids when I taught but never had the chance to plant vegetables. I love your ideas! Deb @ LivingMontessoriNow.com

    Reply
  2. L. says

    October 14, 2011 at 10:01 am

    This is such a great idea–I'd love to do this with my son, although we're still figuring out just how exactly one is supposed to garden in the desert. 😀

    Reply
  3. Lovingmama says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:09 am

    L – I love your ambition! Succulents? or maybe an herb garden inside? =)

    Reply
  4. Lori @ La-La's Home Daycare says

    October 15, 2011 at 8:56 am

    I should have started a garden this year. But just never got around to it.

    Reply
  5. Bulk Vegetable Seeds says

    January 26, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Great post.Thanks for sharing such a useful information with us.

    Reply

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